Our friends at ArchDaily recently showcased photos of the just-finished green Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Designed by Populous in collaboration with Scott Tallon Walker Architects, the stunning sustainably-built stadium features a host of green building features that enable it to integrate into its site while making the most of available resources. Designed as a sweeping crystalline bowl, the stadium harvests rainwater to irrigate the field, reuses waste heat for hot water, and is topped with a transparent roof that allows daylight to suffuse the interior spaces.

Previously called Lansdowne Road Stadium, the recently renovated Aviva Stadium is the oldest international stadium in the world. In designing the 50,000-seat sports park Populous and Scott Tallon Walker Architects sought to minimize the structure’s environmental footprint as much as possible. The sweeping roof of the stadium does double duty in terms of green features – it’s constructed from sturdy transparent materials that shelter the interior while allowing daylight to seep in, and it harvests rainwater to irrigate the sports field. The north end of the stadium features a smooth slope that dips to allow daylight to reach nearby residences, and a smart set of efficient fixtures conserve energy — for instance, the escalators only operate when people are standing on them.

Senior Principle of Populous Ben Vickery stated “We have striven to design a stadium worthy of the sporting occasions that will take place within it, as well as create a building that works in harmony with the local community and environment. The bold design of Aviva’s roof creates the image of the sky coming down to meet the ground in a reflective crystal bowl.”

Aviva Stadium is slated to officially open on July 31st, when it will host rugby and soccer matches in addition to concerts and other events.